Mid-Prairie updates literacy program

By Mary Zielinski | Jun 11, 2014

WELLMAN — The first update to the elementary literacy program in eight years will bring $172,885 in new materials and an additional $182,000 of free materials in a variety technology services. It was an offer the Mid-Prairie Board of Education could not resist and Monday, following a detailed presentation from elementary teachers,approved the purchase. The materials should be available for the 2014-15 academic year. The board was equally agreeable regarding approval of a $2,000 mini-grant application to the Washington County Riverboat Foundation (WCRF) for a digital learning studio, and approval of the student/parent handbook. Steve Hollan, district activities and transportation director, gave an update about response to the new athletic conference in which Mid-Prairie was put last fall. Survey results from students, parents and coaches indicate most would rather stay than switch to another conference that could include Burlington and Ottumwa. Reasons cited from the respondents listed cost of both fuel and time in traveling to games, size of other schools, especially for middle school students. The board agreed that at this time, to change will be sought despite some frustrations regarding travel distances in the current conference. The board also received the 2014-15 salaries and benefits list for principals, central office and Home School Assistance Program (HASP) staff that is $48,880 higher for salaries and $62,057 for benefits over 2013-14. They are Lora Anderson, technology director, $55,780, a $2,780 increase from $53,000;Teresa Beenblossom, Kalona and Washington Township elementaries principal, $90,100, up $4,100 from $86,000; Jim Cayton, high school principal, $105,700, up $4,700 from $101,000; Theresa Hartley, assistant transportation director/AD secretary, $16,670; Steve Hollan, activities and transportation director, $79,670, up $1,620 from $78,050; Amber Kempf, nutrition director, $30,000 up $3,000 from $27,000; Jeff Lintz, assistant transportation director, $37,680 up $1,650 from $36,030; Marc Pennington, middle school principal, $90,100 up $4,100 from $86,000; Bill Poock,m Wellman Elementary principal, M-P preschool director, $90,100 up $4,100 from $86,000 and Amy Shalla, principal, ALC/SpEd. director, $81,070 up $6,160 from $74,910.Also, Central Office personnel: Carmela Ulin, Human Relation Coordinator and HSAP coordinating secretary, $39,320 up $5,000 from $34,320 and Cindy Malichky, assistant business manager and HSAP business secretary, $46,800 up $2,998 from $43,802. Ulin is also the superintendent’s secretary.For the HSAP levels are Jan Childress, program coordinator, $74,790 (up $3,075); Crystal Gingerich, Vivian Baumhover, Rachel Kerns and Sheila Raim, coordinators, $31.50 per hour, a $1.25 hourly raise; Rose Schrock, assistant program coordinator, $50,695, a 41,950 raise and Diann Smith and Jolene Walker, coordinators, $29.50 per hour, a $1.25 hourly raise.In other business, the board approved changes in the Series 700 policies and received an update about the construction projects for which there is a meeting with contractors and architects June 12. The district hoes to let bids late this year for the $10.6 million plan.